Call Number:

Ms. Coll. 1164

Repository:

University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts

Extent:

0.08 linear feet (1 volume)

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Ernest Rudolph Gunther photograph album of India, 1895-1896, Ms. Coll. 1164, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania

Date:

1895-1896 (inclusive)

Creator:

Gunther, Ernest Rudolph

Form:

Photograph albums and Photographs

Abstract:

This collection is composed of a photograph album containing photographs of various regions of India. The cover lists the following dates and cities: 1895-1896, Bombay, Ahmedabad, Jeypore, Amber, Delhi, Agra, Fatipur, Benares, Calcutta, Darjeeling and Madras. A few of the photos capture individuals participating in events such as the tiger hunt or the elephant ride but the majority of the photographs are of landscapes. Most of the photos are large (around 7x10 inches) and are of high artistic quality. Some of the photographs are labelled but most are not. The bookplate on the first page indicates the album was at least owned, and probably compiled, by Ernest Rudolph Gunther.

Ernest Rudolph Gunther (1862-1923) was a wealthy New Yorker of noble German descent. According to "America's Successful Men of Affairs" published by The New York Tribune in 1895, Ernest Rudolph Gunther was "a member of many of the most select clubs in New York and live[d] at No. 9 West 57th street. He [was] a clever conversationalist and extremely popular among club men and the people who comprise[d] what [was] known as the best society in New York. An invitation to one of the frequent musicales, given at his residence, [was] prized very highly by members of the New York smart set." United States Passports applications show that Gunther acquired a passport 1895.

This collection is composed of a photograph album containing photographs of various regions of India. The cover lists the following dates and cities: 1895-1896, Bombay, Ahmedabad, Jeypore, Amber, Delhi, Agra, Fatipur, Benares, Calcutta, Darjeeling and Madras. A few of the photos capture individuals participating in events such as the tiger hunt or the elephant ride, but the majority of the photographs are of landscapes, city scenes and buildings of significance. There are a few photographs of native Indians in formal poses, including a military officer, a finely dressed woman, a man in a cart, and a man with a gun on a camel. The last few photos appear to be of people of Asian ethnicity, as opposed to Indian. Most of the photos are large (around 7x10 inches) and are of high artistic quality. Some of the photographs are labelled but most are not.

The bookplate on the first page indicates the album was at least owned, and probably compiled, by Ernest Rudolph Gunther. This appears to be memorabilia of an extravagant trip to India for pleasure and tourism.